Summer Stories of Impact

Summer of 2026

As we transition to our fall programs we are feeling so grateful for the beautiful summer season.

This summer we successfully~

• Supported 102 youth by offering summer activities over 10 weeks of camp across elementary, middle and high school ages.
• With the younger chamacos we played outdoors, rode bikes, made art, explored new places and learned more about Oregon’s animals and habitat
• Our middle and high school jovenes went canoeing, whitewater, rafting with Sun Country Tours, and swimming in the lakes.
• We partnered with Bend Park and Recreation District on bike programs for 40 additional young people.
• We visited the museum, library, caves, rivers, lakes, trails, and forest, and adapted our activities when needed due to smoke.

💬 The most significant part of the summer program

Our summers inters shared the found meaning in:
learning new skills, gaining confidence, strengthening community.

“As someone who was afraid of the water, having to paddle with all my strength in the middle of the chaos taught me that fear doesn’t disappear you learn to overcome it, and the laughter and smiles are memories that will never forget”.

Thank You to our Partners and donors:

Sun Country Tours/Mt. Bachelor, Columbia Sportswear, Luno, Oregon Department of Education, Oregon Department of Transportation, HAJB Foundation, Judy Rowe,Shaun Martin, Pattie Gonia, Les Schwab Tire Centers, Megan Schwartz, Sunnyside Sports, & Deschutes Brewery.

Also, thanks to our wonderful staff, volunteers and to NatureConnect Central Oregon.